Patio screen door closer

ABSTRACT

A system for converting a sliding patio screen door into a self-closing door through the use of an easily attachable hollow cylindrical tube attached vertically to the outer frame of the sliding door. The tube contains a hole in the top cap that allows a fine monofilament to extend through it and attach to the inner frame of the sliding screen door. The monofilament is attached to a weight on its other end inside the tube. When the door is opened through the application of manual force, the weight is lifted inside the tube. Once the force is released, the weight is returned through gravity to its rest position, thereby pulling the door closed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of sliding screen doors, in particular, an automatic closer for sliding patio screen doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sliding screen doors are commonly found in many businesses and residences. They are usually used in conjunction with heavier sliding glass doors. During temperate weather, it is often desirable to leave the sliding glass door open. However, a screen door is needed to keep out unwanted insects and debris. A common problem with the use of such screen doors is that the screen door is often rendered ineffective because it is left open due to the memory lapse of the user. Often times the person opening the screen door does not remember to close the screen door after use, thereby defeating its purpose.

The prior art in the field includes devices designed to counteract this problem. Most of the prior art does not deal specifically with sliding screen doors, but with all sliding doors, generally. U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,820 by Teutsch teaches of a system that uses an oil-dammed or magnetic spring for closing a heavy sliding glass door. This device controls the rate of closure of the door through the use of a reel and spool. Similarly Jensen teaches in U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,636 of a device that uses pressurized gas to automatically close the sliding door. Other inventions, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,465 by Stephan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,29 by Kaftan and U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,372 by Beard et al use springs to return the sliding door to its closed position. All of the prior art is relatively complex compared to the instant invention and all contain many mechanical parts that will wear out, most notably the springs used to bring the sliding door closed.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a simpler closing device that is less susceptible to wear and tear with use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a main pipe, usually a PVC pipe with a ¾″ inner diameter that is 57″ long, is used. The pipe is vertically attached to the outer frame of the sliding door assembly through two or more pipe clamps attached to the outer frame. The PVC pipe snaps in and out of the pipe clamps making it both easy to install and easy to remove. The PVC pipe has end caps on either end, the top cap having a hole drilled in the center with a brass thru-hole fitting inserted into the hole. A fine monofilament line extends through the top cap and is attached to a barrel swivel. The barrel swivel is attached to an eyehook that is screwed to the frame of the inner sliding screen door. The other end of the fine monofilament line is attached to weights that slide up the inside of the PVC pipe when the patio screen door is opened and that fall back to the bottom of the PVC pipe as the screen door slides closed.

There is a pair of one-inch wheels with metal bearings that replace the old plastic rollers located at the bottom of the patio screen door in order for the closer to work properly. There are no springs or other mechanical parts to wear out in the closer; it works simply through the use of gravity. Only the wheels would require periodic replacement, depending on the amount of use.

The invention is designed to fit on any patio sliding screen door up to 48″ in width. The use of the invention will convert any sliding screen door into a self-closing screen door. The wheel kit will correct screens that no longer slide or stay on track.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the invention is to provide a means to convert any sliding patio screen door into a self-closing door through the use of minimal mechanical parts, thereby reducing the potential for worn parts and need for replacement or repair.

Another object of the invention is to provide for ease of installation and removal of the self-closing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the invention as a sliding screen door is being pushed open through the application of manual force.

FIG. 2 illustrates the invention as the screen door is self-closing after opening.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of the fine monofilament as it exits the PVC pipe and attaches through a barrel swivel to the inner frame of the sliding screen door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ENABLING AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For a better understanding of the invention, turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the device, generally designated as the number 10. FIG. 1 shows the invention as manual force 25 is being applied to the screen door 12 through the handle 24 to open the door 12. A substantially planar screen door 12 containing its own internal framing means 13 is placed inside an outside framing means 11. A hollow cylindrical tube 15 is attached to the outside framing means 11 through the use of two or more pipe clamps 14 that are attached to the outside framing means 11. The hollow cylindrical tube 15 houses two end caps 16 a, 16 b at either end. The top end cap 16 a contains an aperture 17 in the center.

A brass thru-hole fitting 18 is inserted inside the aperture 17. A fine monofilament 19 is placed inside the hollow cylindrical tube 15 so as to extend through the aperture 17 at one end and is attached to a weight 20 at the other end as the door 12 is forced open, the weight 20 rises 26 inside the tube 15. The monofilament 19 extending out from the aperture 17 is attached to an attaching means such as a barrel swivel 21, which in turn is affixed to the inner framing means 11 of the screen door 12 by a screw 22. Two wheels 23 are placed on the bottom of the screen door 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the invention as it is automatically closing after the manual force on the door has been removed. The door 12 is forced shut 27 as the weight 20 is forced downward 28 inside the tube 15.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of that portion of the invention where the hollow cylindrical tube 15 contains the aperture 17.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims, as those skilled in the art will make modifications to the invention for particular uses. 

1. A sliding screen door system comprising an outside framing means for housing a sliding screen door; a substantially planar screen door housed within said framing means and containing its own internal framing means; two or more clamping means attached to said outside framing means; a hollow cylindrical tube clamped to said outside framing means through attachment to said clamping means; two end caps enclosing either end of said hollow cylindrical tube, said cap on the top end of said hollow cylindrical tube containing an aperture in the center of said top cap; a thru-hole fitting inserted inside said aperture; a monofilament extending through said thru-hole fitting and through said aperture at one end and attached to a weight at the opposite end; an attaching means attached to said top end of said monofilament that extends through said aperture; a holding means for keeping said attaching means stationary on said top end of said internal framing means of said screen door; two or more wheels attached to the bottom of said screen door.
 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said clamping means are pipe clamps.
 3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said hollow cylindrical tube is made of PVC tubing.
 4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said hollow cylindrical tube has a ¾′″ internal diameter.
 5. A system according to claim 1 wherein said hollow cylindrical tube is 57″ long.
 6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said thru-hole fitting is made of brass.
 7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means is a barrel swivel.
 8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said holding means is a screw.
 9. A system according to claim 1 wherein said wheels are 1″ in diameter.
 10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said wheels contain metal bearings.
 11. An automatic sliding screen door system comprising placement of a substantially planar screen door containing its own internal framing means inside an outside framing means; placement of a hollow cylindrical tube to the outside of said outside framing means through attachment to two or more clamping means attached to said outside framing means; placement of two end caps enclosing either end of said hollow cylindrical tube, said cap on the top end of said hollow cylindrical tube containing an aperture in the center of said top cap; placement of a thru-hole fitting inserted inside said aperture; placement of a monofilament extending through said thru-hole fitting and through said aperture at one end and attached to a weight at the opposite end; placement of an attaching means attached to said top end of said monofilament that extends through said aperture; placement of a holding means for keeping said attaching means stationary on said top end of said internal framing means of said screen door; placement of two or more wheels attached to the bottom of said screen door.
 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said clamping means are pipe clamps.
 13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said hollow cylindrical tube is made of PVC tubing.
 14. A method according to claim 11 wherein said hollow cylindrical tube has a ¾′″ internal diameter.
 15. A method according to claim 11 wherein said hollow cylindrical tube is 57″ long.
 16. A method according to claim 11 wherein said thru-hole fitting is made of brass.
 17. A method according to claim 11 wherein said attaching means is a barrel swivel.
 18. A method according to claim 11 wherein said holding means is a screw.
 19. A method according to claim 11 wherein said wheels are 1″ in diameter.
 20. A method according to claim 11 wherein said wheels contain metal bearings. 